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Rappahannock RiverNational Wildlife Refuge

This project was funded by the Northern Neck Planning DistrictCommission and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Programat the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant#NA14NOS4190141 of the U.S. Department of Commerce,National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under theCoastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.

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LegendCat Point Creek Water TrailEXPERIENCE LEVEL

ExpertPoints of Interest

# Colonial Rendevous Point for Loading Tobacco

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ÑÕ Rolling Road - Primitive Road for Hauling Tobacco

Aids to Navigation

Conserved Lands

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Conserved LandsPrivate Conservation Easements

Cat Point CreekWater Trail

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Menokin Bay Loop:2.48 miles

Menokin Bay to Rapphannock River:9.1 miles (one way)

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Belle Mount Vineyard/Heritage Park Resort

Naylor's BeachCampground

Rappahannock RiverNational Wildlife Refuge

This project was funded by the Northern Neck Planning DistrictCommission and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Programat the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant#NA14NOS4190141 of the U.S. Department of Commerce,National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under theCoastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.

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LegendCat Point Creek Water TrailEXPERIENCE LEVEL

ExpertPoints of Interest

# Colonial Rendevous Point for Loading Tobacco

[d Heritage Park Resort/Belle Mount Vineyards Boat Ramp

g Possible Capital Township of Rappahannock Indians[r Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge

ÑÕ Rolling Road - Primitive Road for Hauling Tobacco

Aids to Navigation

Conserved Lands

[d Naylor's Beach Campground Boat Ramp

!| Menokin Canoe/Kayak Launch - Reservation Required

Novice

[e Historic Menokin Foundation

!; Heritage Park Resort/Belle Mount Vineyards Campground

!; Naylor's Beach Campground

" Red Daymark, Red Nun Buoy

Conserved LandsPrivate Conservation Easements

Cat Point CreekWater Trail

RappahannockRiver

Menokin Bay Loop:2.48 miles

Menokin Bay to Rapphannock River:9.1 miles (one way)

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Heritage Park Resort -Belle Mount Vineyards

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There are two launch/retrieve points for the Cat Point Creek Water Trail,one upstream on Menokin Bay (Heritage Park) and one near the mouth ofCat Point Creek (Naylors Beach Campground). To contact Naylor's BeachCampground call 804.333.3951 or visit them on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/naylorsbeachTo arrive at Naylor's Beach Campground from the town of Warsaw, travelwest on US 360 approximately 2.4 miles and take a right onto Rt. 624(Newland Rd.). Travel around 1/8 of a mile and take a left onto Rt. 634 (Naylor'sBeach Rd,) Travel 3.9 miles to the intersection with Rt. 636 (Strangeway Rd.) Takea right at this intersection (you will still be on Naylor's Beach Rd.) and travel 1/10thof a mile to the boat ramp. To reach the Heritage Park Resort - Belle Mount Vineyard'sboat ramp travel to Warsaw, then west on US 360 for approximately 2.4 miles, turn rightonto Rt. 624 (Newland Rd.) for 2.5 miles and look for the Heritage Park Resort sign on theright side of the road.

The majority of the Cat Point Creek Water Trail is sheltered and ideal for novice paddlers. However,the lower section of the trail from Naylor's Beach Road Bridge out into the Rappahannock Riverto the Naylor's Beach Boat Ramp is recommended for expert paddlers due the possible high wind

and wave exposure in this area.

The upper portion of the Cat Point Creek Water Trail near Menokin Bayis tidal freshwater, while the lower portion of the trail near Naylor's Beachis brackish water. Therefore, you will see a marked change in the type ofvegetation found on the banks of Cat Point Creek as you progressupstream or downstream the creek.At right is a photo from Menokin Bay in upper Cat Point Creek. The vegetation is thick in this tidal freshwater habitat and includesArrow Arum, Pickerelweed and Yellow Pond Lily in the foreground.In the background you can see some trees that are dying, most likelyfrom sea level rise inundating their root system.

The Heritage Park-Belle Mount Vineyards launch ramp is visible in thebackground of the photo on right. To contact Heritage Park - Belle MountVineyards contact them at 804.333.4038 or find them on the web athttp://www.heritagepark.com.Across Menokin Bay from the Heritage Park launch ramp is Menokin. Menokinwas the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, who was one of the signers of theDeclaration of Independence. To access Menokin from Cat Point Creek, youneed to make a reservation with Menokin by calling 804.333.1776.The canoe landing point has a trail leading upland to the ruins of Menokin.Staff at Menokin will be glad to show you the ruins, explain how life was back in colonial times and describe someof the features of the nearly 500 acres that the Menokin Foundation owns.From historical records, there is indication of a major Indian settlement that was located on Cat Point Creek inpre Colonial times. While the exact location is unknown, the area of was on the banks of Cat Point Creek a mileor so upstream. That area is near where Heritage Park and Menokin are located. It is interesting to note that theCat Point Creek area has been an ideal habitat for humans for at least several centuries!Cat Point Creek is one of the most pristine creeks on the Northern Neck Peninsula. There is little developmenton the creek, due in part, to the low bridges that cross the creek. In addition, some of the land bordering Cat PointCreek is part of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and as such, will not be developed intothe future. Near Menokin Bay, the water is tidal freshwater and you can catch crappie, bluegill, perch, catfish, as wellas largemouth bass. In the Spring, shad and herring migrate upstream to spawn, as well as striped bass. In the lowersections of Cat Point Creek, where the water is saltier, you can catch spot, croaker in the summer months.